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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1978-04-26, Page 9Page 8-10aeknow Seatioel,. Wednesday, AprII 26, 1978 Huron -Bruce Liberals nominate Graig The nation's economy and national unity will be the two main issues in the upcoming federal election according to. Graeme Craig, Walton. Craig was chosen to represent the Liberals in the Huron -Bruce riding at the Huron -Bruce Liberal Association nomination convention and annu- al meeting in Clinton on April . 19. Craig defeated I Grant Chis- holm, Lucknow, and Jean Adams, Goderich. The riding, now repres- ented by Bob McKinley, P.C., was Huron -Middlesex before re- distribution. Craig, 31, is a lifelong resident of the riding and has farmed since graduating from Ridgetown Col- lege of Agricultural Technology. A technician with United Breed- ers for 10 years, he is a director of the Huron Cattlemen's Associa- tion, president of the Brussels Agricultural Society and assistant secretary treasurer to the Huron Plowmen's Association. Statistics concerning the na- tion's 'economy are "confusing" Craig told the 400 Liberals who attended the convention. While there is 1 million unemployed, there are 300,000 more working now than one year ago. The labour force has increased three percent in the past year in Canada while in the same period, the U.S. labour force has increased only two percent and the labour force in Germany has declined two percent. The budget brought down by the Liberals two weeks ago is a "responsible" one said Craig. The three percent drop in sale tax will stimulate the purchasing power of Canadians. But, he added it is important that a balance in foreign and Canadian buying be kept to ensure Canad- ians work. He noted that the budget also brought into effect the exemption from capital gains tax, of corpor- ated farmswhich are handed down from one family- member 'to another. He told the convention that farming is the backbone of the country and that farming must be profitable to make it a viable enterprize for ,the farmer. He said that this is the most "crucial election" this country has faced and that the prime minister of this country will have to give solid direction to the Canadian people to keep the country together: He said that he could not see Joe Clark as having the ability to do this. He said that Pierre Trudeau however, is Gaunt chairs respected by world leaders, Minister of Indian and North- ern Affairs, Hugh Falkner, MP, Peterborough, addressed the con- vention considering issues which included the economy, national unity, unemployment and agricul- ture. During the annual meeting which followed the nomination ballot, the nominating committee gave the following report. committee on CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 only weapon at their disposal, a move for a vote of non -confidence in the government. The committee chaired by Gaunt has presented the Liberal party's alternatives to the Government's use of the 371/2 percent increase. in OHIP premiums in a news conference held by the party leader Dr. Stuart Smith on April 18. Smith said that, "the OHIP rate increase has little to do with health costs. The government needs the money for other things." He pointed out that the practices and policies of the Health Ministry need reform. The funding, expenditure control and service delivery can all be improved, though specific recommendations will require more study and work than can possibly be accomplished in a few meetings. Smith said on March 9 that the Liberals would find alternatives to the Treasurer's excessive OHIP rate increase and he set out the preferred places where the money can be found at the April 18th press conference, Gaunt's committee suggested that the increase in OHIP premiums be limited to six percent. This approximately reflects real higher costs in the health insurance system and is within the A. I. B. guidelines as it .should be. This would raise $51 million. -- The committee's second alternative was to cut out the fat which has been built into the Ministry of Health estimates, The Liberals see at least $50 million padding in this year's budget. Third, the Treasurer should be forced to'implement his own dollar control of Manpower guideline which limits the budget for govern- ment salaries and wage settlements to an increase of 4 percent. This year's estimates show spending beyond this guideline of $67 million. The fourth recommendation is to cut government spending on PROCLAMATION DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME r��%� o ]q V-)1:;.... .4%:' CK$ Starts Sunday, April 30, 1978 at 2:00 a.m. TURN YOUR CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR Village of Lucknow oar ......... "Services" by 5 percent. These are services such as public relations, consultants, printing and so on. The budget for these services wasincreased by 7.5 percent. The Liberals suggest cutting back these to a 2.5 perceiit increase for a saving of $24 million. To increase the corporate income tax rate by 1/2 point to 12' percent for most businesses would generate an additional $41 million. But for most businesses the increase in income tax would cost far less than their share of ,a 371/2 percent OHIP increase. The government's OHIP hike would cost business $122 million say the Liberals. The combined cost to business of their proposal for a 1/2 point corporate tax increase and a 6 percent OHIP increase would be $61 million - exactly half the Treasurer's proposal. The' final proposal set forth by Gaunt's committee -proposed the use of some Lottery funds for general revenue. There is far more money being generated.than originally envisioned. According to the budget, $77 million will remain unallocated at the end of this fiscal year. The Liberals propose that $38 million of these uncommitted funds be allocated to general revenue. The Liberal proposals total $271.7 million. Smith said at the press conference when he presented the findings of the committee chaired by Gaunt that the government's 37.5 percent increase in OHIP premiums is unacceptable to the Liberal Party. "We cannot support such an enormous increase in such a regressive tax." Smith said that the Liberal alternatives were "responsible and reasonable". The government has been given one week to consider alternatives to their OHIP increase and they were to present their proposals Tuesday afternoon. Liberal Leader Smith and NDP Cassidy are prepared to make a non -confidence motion if the proposed increase is not substantially reduced, whether by means of the Liberal alternatives or by some acceptable means. A non -confidence motion on this issue would result in the fall of the minority Conservative government and a provincial election. However, said Smith, while nobody wants an election at this time, the Liberal party has been opposed to the increase since budget day and have condemned quite vocally the idea of using health insurance premiums as a way to generate extra dollars for other government. expenditures. "The government must begin to ecr to that they did not win a majority at the last election," said Srtith, "and must take account of the views, concerns and principles of at least one of the opposition parties." Olson's Gravel Pit DUNGANNON, ONT. 529-7942 Den's wr.e.eer,e.or i.er i• irr".der• r nr,r4 • NEW LOWER PRICES RE 100 TONS SANDY FILL $44.00 PIT RUN GRAVEL $64.00 STONE DUST, SAND $100.00 SCREENED STONE 4" UNDER $125.00 ROAD GRAVEL $135.00 CEMENT GRAVEL $145.00 5/8 STONE $220.00 3/4 STONE $235.00 A minimum mileage charge for delivery President, Herb Kuntz, Form- osa; executive vice presidents, Howard Aitken, Goderich; treas- urer, Murray Elston, Wingham; secretary, Jack Horan, Walton. District vice presidents, Emil Hendrick, Paul Steckle, Gordon Smyth, Clarence 'Denomme, George Townshend, John Currie, Peter Keil, Muriel Brophy, Dun- can Campbell, and Mac Inglis. Directors, Trudy Holmes, Tony Johnstone, Anne Marie Murphy, Keith McLean. Immediate past president, Charles Thomas, Brus- sels. Pt. Clark Kinsmen receive charter The Point Clark and District Kinsmen Club became the ninety- sixth club in District 1, when they received their charter on Saturday night. A capacity crowd of Kinsmen, Kinettes and special guests welcomed the newest club into Canada's Young Men's Service Club, the Association of Kinsmen Clubs, at the Lucknow Legion. Sponsor for the new club was the Lucknow and District Kins- men Club with Lucknow Kinsmen member Greg Laroque, respon- sible for the formation. St, Peter's Anglican Church ladies catered to the banquet. Past president Tony Johnstone was the program chairman. Head' table and the new members of the Point Clark Club and their wives were piped in by piper Frank_ MacKenzie. The evening opened with the Kin song, led by Kin Clem Cote, followed by the Kinette song led by Kinette president, Barb Helm. Kin Grace was said by Kin Archie De Groote. Welcome was extend- ed by Kinsmen president, Evans Helm. Toast to the ladies was made by Kin Rod McDonagh and Mrs. Wendy Elliott replied. Past Governor John Green, Drayton, presented a toast to the Associa- tion, and the response was given by National Director John Bore - ham, Oshawa. Charter ceremonies were dir- ected by Deputy Governor of Zone B, Ron Heipel• of Mount Forest; District 1 Governor, Wayne Newell of St. Catharines and National Director John Bore - ham, Oshawa. Several presentations were made to the members and the club. Greetings were brought by Huron Township Reeve Mike Snobelen, M.P.P. Murray Gaunt and M.P. Crawford Douglas. Several telegrams and messages of congratulations were read. - CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 Still a chance There is still a chance to get in on the winning in the Lucknow District Community Centre Lot- tery draw. Fund raising chair- man, Walter Arnold, said that three more tickets were sold this week hut, there ,ire still a feu left. It's a chance to buy a first ticket on the draw or get together with a group and purchase part of a second ticket. Donations to the fund total $20,521. A further list of dona- tions includes: Cam Cook, Pion- eer Hi Bred Ltd., Gooderham & Worts Ltd., Linda McQuitlin, A. W. Miles' Ltd., Molson Compan- ies Ltd., Kenny Brown, Howard Barger, Frank Alton, King Grain Ltd., Jack Webster,